Friday the 13th

[YellowFinsReef]

**Deep sigh**

At the last hour on Friday the 13th, my 125G FOWLR tank exploded through it's bottom and flooded my entire basement with saltwater, sand, and shards of glass. It killed the circuit and damaged $1,500 of new reefing technology when all the pressure from the live rocks ripped everything from the walls. It was probably my lowest point of this year. If the fish had died, I probably would have given up my reefing hobby.

Good thing was, all my fish was in the hospital tank being treated for ich and marine velvet, so I didn't lose any fish during the explosion. However, the mess was horrendous and I didn't even know where or what to start cleaning. My strength and encouragement came from wanting to find all my fishies a new home.

Thankfully, someone from my town was also selling their tank, which was the same size as mine, so I had to scrape together some money to get it and transfer my system over. Ill post up some new pictures of the tank as soon as it gets started up. I always knew aquariums could explode, but I never thought it was to happen to me.

Does anyone have any best practices in the case of an emergency when something like an exploding tank happens? It would be great to know.

 

[Crabs McJones]

I'm so sorry this happened to you! Was there any substantial damage to your home?

 

[Lovemyreef2015]

I'm sorry that happened. I hope there wasn't to much damage to your home. I'm glad your fish are ok.

 

[YellowFinsReef]

I'm so sorry this happened to you! Was there any substantial damage to your home?

Other than some damaged equipment, no, nothing happened.

 

[Big G]

Sorry for your mess. Glad the fish were not in there. Do you have any idea why the bottom blew out?

 

[YellowFinsReef]

Sorry for your mess. Glad the fish were not in there. Do you have any idea why the bottom blew out?

No idea. I speculated that the live rocks along with sand and saltwater may have been too overbearing for the bottom of the tank. But I'm not sure either. There wasn't any signs or anything because I do a thorough check everyday. It just sorta happened outta the blue.

 

[Big G]

No idea. I speculated that the live rocks along with sand and saltwater may have been too overbearing for the bottom of the tank. But I'm not sure either. There wasn't any signs or anything because I do a thorough check everyday. It just sorta happened outta the blue.

New stand? Tempered glass is weird. Had a tempered glass window on a car just explode for no reason once. Glass guy said it could have been either the car or the glass or the sealant was not fitting correctly. Yikes!

 

[YellowFinsReef]

New stand? Tempered glass is weird. Had a tempered glass window on a car just explode for no reason once. Glass guy said it could have been either the car or the glass or the sealant was not fitting correctly. Yikes!

Oh yah. Tempered glass is totally weird. I thought it was supposed to be the strongest type out there for aquariums, but honestly this experience has traumatized me. Lol

 

[Humblefish]

I can only think of two scenarios which might explain something like this happening:

1. A rockslide occurred and one hit the bottom hard enough to crack the tempered glass.
2. The bottom had a preexisting problem: slight crack or faulty seam which eventually gave way.

It looks like your bulkheads were screwed into the back panel; were any screwed into the bottom?

 

[YellowFinsReef]

I can only think of two scenarios which might explain something like this happening:

1. A rockslide occurred and one hit the bottom hard enough to crack the tempered glass.
2. The bottom had a preexisting problem: slight crack or faulty seam which eventually gave way.

It looks like your bulkheads were screwed into the back panel; were any screwed into the bottom?

Yes, I had drills in the back for my shadow overflow. No, I did not drill the bottom because it is tempered glass. And similarly, I do agree with you. I cannot think of any reason why it would just explode and out of 365 days, it chose Friday the 13th.

 

[Humblefish]

Yes, I had drills in the back for my shadow overflow. No, I did not drill the bottom because it is tempered glass. And similarly, I do agree with you. I cannot think of any reason why it would just explode and out of 365 days, it chose Friday the 13th.

FWIW; I'm very sorry this happened to you. I can't even imagine.

 

[Orm Embar]

I'm very sorry to hear that this happened to you; best wishes on setting up a new tank for your fish. Do people still use Starboard or other material on the tank bottom to protect the glass?

 

[sundog101]

Tempered glass is gonna shatter.

 

[Big G]

I'm very sorry to hear that this happened to you; best wishes on setting up a new tank for your fish. Do people still use Starboard or other material on the tank bottom to protect the glass?

I use silicone kitchen heat pads under my rock to prevent pressure points.

 

[Sandroni]

Egg crate all over bottom first, rock on top, then sand to hide the egg crate. Pretty effective, maybe that could help?

 

[YellowFinsReef]

What a cool idea! I'll try it once I get my new system!

 

[sundog101]

I used the eggcrate and really wish I had not. It does help stabilize the rocks and maybe protect the glass, but with a shallow sand bed it can affect burrowing fish and inverts from what I’ve heard. I think some people have used acrylic or starboard, which would be a better option IMO.